Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; elder statesmen, Chief Edwin Clark; and some prominent leaders including traditional rulers of the Ijaw nation drawn from the seven Niger Delta states, on Saturday, met in Warri, Delta State, over the resurgence of militancy in the region.
At the meeting, which was convened at the instance of Clark and held behind closed doors, the Ijaw leader said in his opening remark that unless Nigeria was restructured, marginalized voices would continue to rise against being treated as “second-class citizens in their own country.”
The emergency meeting convened over the resurgence of militancy in the region was attended by delegates from eight states of the Niger Delta region, including Dickson and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro.
While expressing displeasure over the crisis in the Niger Delta, Clark stressed that dialogue was the only possible solution.
He stated that while it was commendable that the Federal Government had agreed to dialogue with the militant groups to halt attacks on oil and gas facilities, it was not clear whom the government was discussing with.
According to the elder statesman, no Ijaw leader has been consulted by the Federal Government on the proposed dialogue towards halting ongoing attacks on oil facilities in the region.
“This country deserves restructuring. Unless this country is restructured, we (Ijaws) will continue to be treated as second-class citizens. We are not second-class citizens. We must fight for our rights but not by destruction of pipelines.
“We (Ijaw) are not presently in the scheme of things in this country. The Ijaw people must be accorded and included in this government. We are part of this country. We believe in the unity of this country.
“We cannot fold our arms when our children, women and people are being attacked and we pretend nothing is happening. The purpose of this meeting today (Sunday) is for us to address the issue,” Clark stated.
He added, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation which is the major firm conducting oil exploitation operations was recently constituted but of its nine (board) members, not a single person is of Ijaw ethnic extraction where most oil exploration is done.”
Clark further berated the government’s decision to cancel the controversial Maritime University sited in Okerenkoko in the Warri South West Council Area of Delta State, adding that the governing council had been constituted even before former President Goodluck Jonathan left office.
Prominent Ijaw leaders from Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Cross River States, including traditional rulers, were present at the meeting held at Clark’s residence in Warri GRA.
After the Ijaw leader’s opening remark, the meeting went into a closed-door session.
A communiqué signed by Clark and issued at the end of the meeting and read by Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, accused the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government of perceived plans to marginalise Ijaw people.
It said attendees at the meeting urged Ijaw militant groups to cease plans to declare a Niger Delta Republic by Monday this week, noting that its indigenes believed that through restructuring, various crises bedevilling the country could be resolved, including that of the Niger Delta.
The communique read, “The elders and leaders of thoughts in the Ijaw nation call for the immediate restructuring of the Nigerian nation along the lines of peaceful federalism. Thus is the panacea for the sustainable development of Nigeria.
“As a demonstration of sincerity of commitment to dialogue, the Federal Government should immediately withdraw the military from all occupied Ijaw communities, particularly Gbaramatu Kingdom. The meeting also calls on the government to immediately release the 10 innocent students of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
“The meeting also passed a vote of confidence in the Chief Boma Obuoforibo-led leadership of the Ijaw National Congress. We condemn the move to scrap the Nigerian Maritime University approved by the preceding FG with temporary site at Kurutie and call for the immediate takeoff of the university.”
Dickson, emerging from the meeting, told journalists that there was no need for another round of war in Ijaw land because the people were still recovering from previous ones.
While commending the Ijaw leaders, which included traditional rulers, the governor said the problem in the region could be amicably resolved through dialogue and consultations with the people.
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Buhari does not want to restructure. All he needs is your oil and for ijaws and igbos to be quiet.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the ijaw fools whho called themselves leader for over 6 months of bombing by their sons now that is done on them that they will be dealt with militarily. They want to talk why can't they talk to they sons first. They. Game is over. Over 100 of the boys were killed in lagos creeks. More to be waisted soon
DeleteYou are very stupid. When GEJ was president Nigeria didn't need restructuring. Why didn't you all tell GEJ then to restructure Nigeria. Now you all know that Nigeria need restructuring.
DeleteWickedness of the elders is what is killing Ijaw people. They always see evil in their land but will never speak against it.
Keep wailing.
@9.57 did you watch the nations oonference?
DeleteSelf determination is not a crime. It is protected by international law. The whole world is watching as events unfold . JEHOVAH is God of JUSTICE. Remember David and Goliath.
DeleteWhy are u bringing bible reference here now? D simple fact is dat d Guys causing problems in d region don't want peace, they want money in their pocket. It's not about any folish self-determination. Nigeria will burn before it allows any so called independent region. Have you not learnt anyting from world history?
ReplyDeleteMany of us need to put on thinking caps. When I read comments, such as that of anonymous(es)9:52 and 9:57, I balk at contributing comments on this blog. They evince the kind of naivety you find among mountain dwellers of Taraba State. But whom do you blame? The system that benighted them.
ReplyDeleteNigeria is on a war path that the present government is hardly aware of. Niger Deltans are tired of nurturing a group of hungry, indolent parasites, who since 1958 are still crawling on their fours rather than walk or more fittingly run. Parents, when they send their children to school, expect that someday soon, after graduation they would find jobs and fend for themselves. But here we are, sixty years down the road of crude oli discovery, all we can bring out of you all are Frankenstein asking for more like Oliver Twist. You do not know what you all are up to yet. Soon, very soon, I will remind you when we put you all on your kneels. Kill us all today, we will pop up again, stronger after a very short interlude. Of course, with a more lethal strategy. Get a life!
Nigerian military carried out justifiable military campaigns in Lagos because Lagos should be left out of this; but more importantly because there is no money generating infrastructure that is worth risking an operation against. Ask FG to go for military offensive in Niger Delta. That is when you will appreciate what is hunger in Nigeria. Zimbabwe would be considered paradise compared to Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteBuhari and his brothers should accept the reality of our time for a better Nigeria. Theres still time to do it in peace
ReplyDeleteBuhari should waste all the militants lives.where were they when Jonathan was there ? The area needs to be taken care off,but not by handling out money to some select few not to break the law.The maritime university should be developed and buhari err in canceling that.Also,not having an okay indigene on the Nnpc board are valid points that should be addressed.What should also be addressed is what are the governors in that region doing with their allocations that is more than any other state!!! Their should be accountability on their part as well but this militants are law breakers and they should be dealt with ruthlessly like the Boko Haram's sectors.The areas need to be taken care off in the firm of establishing scholarship funds up to PhD level for all indegene of d region or some form of accessible soft loan.Building good schools,encouraging local businesses by d Indigene's by providing access to loans and grants etc.Making sure their are specific numbers of indigenous ppl employed by the oil companies etc.I believe in showing someone how to fish rather than paying some law breakers who are looking out for their pockets not to break d law.The people have viable grievances but the money should be accessible to all indegene with a carrot approach and not to some idiots and thugs with guns
ReplyDelete